Prayer is a gift to us from God. It gives us direct access to our Father in heaven & allows us the ability to worship Him & bring our needs before Him. The Word tells us to “approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy & find grace to help us in our time of need.” {Hebrews 4:16} And specifically praying scripture, which in itself is living & active, brings life & healing that only God can provide. {Proverbs 4:20-22}
It is impossible for us to physically & emotionally protect our kids from everything the world, more specifically the enemy, wants to throw at them. But we can protect them in a more powerful way than our own feeble, physical attempts by bringing them before the Lord & letting Him protect, guide & teach them.
As parents, our role in our children’s lives is crucial. But our leading them to the Father is the most important thing we can do.
Praying scripture for our kids, helps us view their lives as a whole process of god defining moments rather than our desire for a momentary behavior modification event.
Let me explain what I mean: If my child is involved in a behavior that is defiant, disrespectful or otherwise concerning in any way, then as a parent I most definitely want to correct that behavior. The issue we face as parents is that we can often discipline a behavior but it may still continue down the road. This is because all humans behave out of the fullness of their heart, {Proverbs 27:19} and only God can change someone’s heart. {Jeremiah 24:7}
I want my children to behave from day-to-day but more importantly, I want their hearts to mirror God’s ways of living. Praying scripture definitely helps me keep the greater goal in mind & gives me a comfort & peace to remember that God is working in their lives & on their behalf for a greater purpose.
Below are 7 scriptures that you can apply & pray for your kids. My hope is that these would be a springboard for you to find other scriptures the Lord highlights to you that apply directly to areas your own child is faced with in life.
- Father, I pray that _______ would have a boldness for You that would cause people to marvel at Your goodness in him/her. {Acts 4:13}
- I pray that _______ would never be ashamed of the gospel, which has the power to save the lost. {Romans 1:16}
- Keep _______ from the evil one & let her know Your Word is truth so that he/she will be a world changer for Your kingdom. {John 17:15-18}
- May _______’s eyes be opened to the ways You are working in his/her life.{2 Kings 6:17, 2 Corinthians 4:18}
- I pray that _______ would love You with all his/her heart, soul & strength. {Mathew 22:37, Deuteronomy 6:5}
- Father, may _______ have understanding of how long, how wide, how high & how deep Your love is for him/her & may You do exceedingly above anything I could ever ask or think for _______’s life {Ephesians 3:18-20}
- Lord, I pray that _______ would have a heart to do all of his/her work for you. Let him/her never look for the praise of man but instead do everything with the mindset of pleasing You & walking in Your ways. {Colossians 3:23}
